Premier Brands to open facility at former Times-Shamrock printing plant

New York-based Premier Brands of America will open its first manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania at the former Times-Shamrock printing plant in Scott Twp., Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday in a news release.

The state secured a $15 million investment from the health and wellness products manufacturer to open the facility in Lackawanna County, Shapiro said. The state will invest nearly $4 million to support the project, which will create 58 new, full-time jobs over the next three years, he added.

“Pennsylvania has become a key state for businesses looking to expand operations because we’re making strategic investments, cutting red tape, and expanding our workforce,” Shapiro said. “All across the Commonwealth, we’re competing for new opportunities and winning — creating jobs, strengthening our communities, and building a stronger future for Pennsylvania. We’re going to keep building on this momentum and make sure Pennsylvania remains a place where businesses choose to invest and families can succeed.”

MediaNews Group Inc. sold the 20-acre property at 45 Commerce Drive, including the approximately 55,000-square-foot industrial building, to Waverly Equities LLC for $2.8 million, according to a deed recorded Dec. 19, 2024, in Lackawanna County.

Times-Shamrock Communications sold its newspaper group, including The Times-Tribune, to publishing giant MediaNews Group in August 2023.

Premier Brands of America’s portfolio features more than 150 different items in the foot care, first aid, skin care and shave categories — including Arm & Hammer Foot Care and Cutter Poison Ivy — with products found in online and retail stores both domestically and abroad, state officials said.

“Premier Brands of America is proud to expand into Pennsylvania and invest in Lackawanna County as we continue to scale our manufacturing and innovation capabilities,” Larry Page, the firm’s vice president of marketing, said in the release. “This new facility strengthens our ability to serve customers more efficiently while creating high-quality jobs in the region. We appreciate the partnership with the Commonwealth and local organizations that made this investment possible and look forward to being a long-term contributor to the community and its economic growth.”

Coordinated by Shapiro’s BusinessPA team, Premier Brands of America received a funding proposal from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for a $3.6 million Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority loan, a $245,700 Pennsylvania First grant and a $64,300 WEDnetPA grant to train its workers, state officials said.

“This project is bringing new life to a vacant facility and restoring it as a hub of economic activity in Lackawanna County,” DCED Secretary Rick Siger said in the release. “By supporting Premier Brands of America’s expansion, we’re helping a growing manufacturer … scale its operations, strengthen its supply chain, and create good-paying jobs for the region. This is exactly the kind of project that drives local economic growth and delivers real results for Pennsylvania communities.”